Environmental Health Testing

Why EHT?

Complete Certification Process

Conduct a job analysis.
Create the test specifications.
Develop and bank test items.
Review the test items.
Field-test the items.
Assemble the test.
Set the passing score.
Conduct an item analysis.
Standardize administration procedures.
Score the test.
Report results.
Maintain the exam program.
Provide program security.
Keep up with standards and regulations.
Provide quality assurance.
Manage the exam program.
Provide training materials.

1. The job analysis determines what specific skills and knowledge are needed to perform the job effectively. We identify all of the critical aspects of the job that need to be tested. After we develop a list of job-related tasks, we validate each item on the list to ensure that we have identified the essential content on which to base our test.

2. The test specifications outline aspects of the planned test, Who, Why, and What. Who is the target population of examinees that will be taking the test? Why is the test being given --- for certification or another purpose? What content will the test cover and what types of test items are best suited to this content? We use the answers to these questions to map out a test "blueprint" specifying how many and what types of items will be needed to cover the various content areas at the appropriate cognitive levels.

3. Drafting test items is usually completed by a panel of industry experts using the test blueprint as a guide. Panel members write the items to cover all of the specified content areas at all of the appropriate cognitive levels. The most common type of item used in standardized assessments is the multiple choice item. The total number and types of items we develop for your particular program will depend on the specific aspects of the program previously identified. We "bank" the items as they are completed.

4. Reviewing the test items is completed by a team comprising content experts, measurement experts, and professional editors. Our team members review each item for potential problems and make needed revisions to ensure that each item is accurate, is well-written and clearly stated, is fair to all examinees, and matches one or more of the planned test specifications. The review process is valuable for identifying and correcting problems before they are field tested. We adjust banked items as needed.

5. Field-testing the items is done by giving the test to a group of examinees that are representative of the population for whom the test is intended. The examinees know that their tests will not be scored but that the test is being conducted for research purposes. We conduct field-testing in various kinds of situations and use the data collected to analyze and review items prior to their being ready for inclusion on an actual test form. We update the item bank.

6. Assembling the final test forms is done following comprehensive field testing and review. We create the test using an array of successful items taken from the item bank. The selected items must satisfy all of the content and cognitive requirements specified in the test blueprint. Typically, we create more than one test form and the content of each test is "parallel," or as similar as possible. Using multiple test forms improves test security for an exam program.

7. Setting the passing score for the exam is generally based on determining an acceptable level of competency that examinees must demonstrate. A score at this level or above would indicate that the examinee has successfully mastered a sufficient amount of the required competencies. A lower score would indicate that the examinee failed to meet the minimum acceptable level of required competencies being tested. Our panel of judges conducts this step based on essential information regarding the stakes in question and their knowledge of statistical probability and methodology.

8. Conducting an item analysis is done to identify faulty test items. This process uncovers any items that are too easy or too difficult, or ones that fail to discriminate between an examinee who knows the content and one who does not. Item analysis also turns up items that may be confusing because of poorly written distractors (incorrect choices). We send faulty items back for re-review (step 4 above).

9. Developing a strict set of administration procedures is essential to ensure the fairness, validity, and security of your test. This means that that no matter where or when, or to or by whom a test is administered, the examination protocol is consistent. Whether tests are administered as paper and pencil exams or in a computerized format, the test results from different sites can be compared with utmost confidence in their integrity.

10. Scoring the test is done by scanning in the answer sheets or validating electronic results from secure computer based exam sites.. The score can be adjusted to delete items dropped following item analysis. Finally, the passing score set for the exam is applied to the final score to determine mastery or nonmastery.

11. Reporting the results must be completed quickly, efficiently, and accurately and report whether the examinee passed or failed. Iindividual score reports may include the examinee's raw score (the number or percentage of correct answers), percentile ranking, and/or other diagnostic information. Reports are delivered by email, mail, and/or fax.

12. Maintaining the exam program is central to our management services. We continually review, update, add and replace items as needed to reflect modifications in job requirements and adjusted industry standards.

13. We ensure the security, confidentiality and the integrity of each test product. EHT maintains full security for all examination items and forms, testing environments, records and reports.

14. Engaging with regulatory bodies (local, state, federal) at every level requires experience to research pertinent regulations and interpret their broader impacts. EHT has the experience and knowledge to work with regulators and to apply new and established industry standards and regulations to keep your testing program certification-ready.

15. Expect high quality in every EHT training product and service. Program content and management services vary with every client, but each is offered with the same promise of quality.

16. Managing your certification program requires experience, dedication and time. EHT has the resources and experience not just to manage the administration of your certification program but to market it to the industry, including corporate and independent workers in the field.

17. Targeted training and study guides provide examinees with needed skills and knowledge to prepare for certification. EHT can provide training materials in a variety of online or print formats, whether as a sole source or a supplement to on-the-job experience.